System and method to incorporate node fulfillment capacity and network average capacity utilization in balancing fulfillment load across retail supply networks

ABSTRACT

A method and system for evaluating node fulfillment capacity in node order assignment. The method includes receiving by a network average capacity utilization cost module an electronic record of a current order. The method includes retrieving data of a plurality of nodes, calculating an actual capacity utilization on an expected date, and determining a probability of backlog on the expected date. The method includes generating a network average capacity utilization cost model, automatically converting a regular labor cost or a overtime labor cost into a capacity utilization cost, and transmitting the capacity utilization cost of each node to an order fulfillment engine. The method includes receiving by the engine the current order, the processing cost data, and the capacity utilization cost. The method includes automatically calculating a fulfillment cost and identifying a node with the lowest fulfillment cost for assignment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.15/088,686 filed on Apr. 1, 2016 and claims priority from U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/279,738 filed on Jan. 16, 2016.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure is directed to computer generated node order fulfillmentperformance and more particularly, to computer generated node orderfulfillment performance considering capacity utilization cost.

Omni-channel retailers employ a number of channels to fulfill onlineorders. One approach to find optimal fulfillment solutions is to modelthe fulfillment problem as a multi-objective optimization problem, wherethe solution is order item assignments across a large number offulfillment candidate nodes (stores, ecommerce fulfillment centers,etc.).

A key issue when assigning a part of an order to a node for fulfillmentis that the order can get backlogged due to limited node capacity, thatis, the laborers who can pick the items at the node and fulfill theorder. Node capacity is especially a problem when non-traditionalfulfillment nodes are considered in the node fulfillment decision suchas stores in the recent ship-from-store trend. On the other hand, nodescan remain underutilized—having more capacity available than is beingused. Therefore, factoring in the node fulfillment capacity and capacityutilization of a node would be useful for balancing fulfillment loadacross retail supply networks and avoiding costly delays due tooverloading the current resources of the node.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment is directed to a method for evaluating node fulfillmentcapacity in node order assignment. The method includes receiving by acomputer processor of a network average capacity utilization cost modulean electronic record of a current order from a customer. The computerprocessor of the network average capacity utilization cost module hasprogram instructions. The method then includes retrieving data of eachnode from a plurality of nodes. The retrieved data of each node includescurrent capacity utilization, capacity of a current day, backlog andnetwork average capacity utilization. The method also includescalculating an actual capacity utilization on an expected date of eachnode of the plurality of nodes. The actual capacity utilization is basedon the retrieved current capacity utilization, the capacity of a currentday, and the backlog. Further, the method includes determining aprobability of backlog on the expected date of each node of theplurality of nodes. The probability of backlog is based on the actualcapacity utilization. Then, the method includes generating a networkaverage capacity utilization cost model defining a lower capacityutilization threshold of each node of the plurality of nodes and anupper capacity utilization threshold of each node of the plurality ofnodes. Next, the method includes automatically converting a regularlabor cost of each node of the plurality of nodes or a overtime laborcost of each node of the plurality of nodes into a capacity utilizationcost of the each node using the generated network average capacityutilization cost model. The method next includes transmitting thecapacity utilization cost of each node to an order fulfillment engine.

Further, the method includes receiving by a computer processor of theorder fulfillment engine the electronic record of the current order fornode order assignment. Thereafter, the method includes retrieving by thecomputer processor of the order fulfillment engine the processing costdata of each node from a plurality of nodes. Next, the method includesreceiving by the computer processor of the order fulfillment engine theconverted capacity utilization cost of each node from a plurality ofnodes, the computer processor of the order fulfillment engine havingprogram instructions. Afterwards, the method includes automaticallycalculating a fulfillment cost of each node of the plurality of nodes ofthe current order based on the processing cost data of each node fromthe plurality of nodes and the capacity utilization cost of each nodefrom a plurality of nodes. The method then includes identifying one ormore nodes from the plurality of nodes of the current order with thelowest fulfillment cost based on the calculated fulfillment cost.Finally, the method includes automatically generating a node orderassignment assigning the current order to one of the one or more nodeswith the lowest fulfillment cost.

In one embodiment, when the actual capacity utilization is lower thanthe lower capacity utilization threshold, the capacity utilization costis the negative of a regular labor cost or the negative of an idlinglabor cost, which is essentially a reward.

In another embodiment, when the actual capacity utilization is higherthan the upper capacity utilization threshold, the capacity utilizationcost is the overtime labor cost, which is higher than the regular laborcost.

One embodiment is directed to a network average capacity utilizationcost module for evaluating node fulfillment capacity in node orderassignment. The module includes one or more non-transitory computerreadable storage media and program instructions, stored on the one ormore non-transitory computer-readable storage media, which whenimplemented by a user interface accessing a service provider website,cause the computer system to perform the step of receiving by a computerprocessor of a network average capacity utilization cost module anelectronic record of a current order from a customer. The method thenincludes retrieving data of each node from a plurality of nodes. Theretrieved data of each node includes current capacity utilization,capacity of a current day, backlog and network average capacityutilization. The method also includes calculating an actual capacityutilization on an expected date of each node of the plurality of nodes.The actual capacity utilization is based on the retrieved currentcapacity utilization, the capacity of a current day, and the backlog.Further, the method includes determining a probability of backlog on theexpected date of each node of the plurality of nodes. The probability ofbacklog is based on the actual capacity utilization. Then, the methodincludes generating a network average capacity utilization cost modeldefining a lower capacity utilization threshold of each node of theplurality of nodes and an upper capacity utilization threshold of eachnode of the plurality of nodes. Next, the method includes automaticallyconverting a regular labor cost of each node of the plurality of nodesor a overtime labor cost of each node of the plurality of nodes into acapacity utilization cost of the each node using the generated networkaverage capacity utilization cost model.

The method next includes transmitting the capacity utilization cost ofeach node to an order fulfillment engine. The order fulfillment engineincludes one or more non-transitory computer readable storage media andprogram instructions, stored on the one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media, which when implemented by a userinterface accessing a service provider website, cause the computersystem to perform the step of receiving the electronic record of thecurrent order for node order assignment. The method then includesretrieving the processing cost data of each node from a plurality ofnodes. Next, the method includes receiving the converted capacityutilization cost of each node from a plurality of nodes. Afterwards, themethod includes automatically calculating a fulfillment cost of eachnode of the plurality of nodes of the current order based on theprocessing cost data of each node from the plurality of nodes and thecapacity utilization cost of each node from a plurality of nodes. Themethod then includes identifying one or more nodes from the plurality ofnodes of the current order with the lowest fulfillment cost based on thecalculated fulfillment cost. Finally, the method includes automaticallygenerating a node order assignment assigning the current order to one ofthe one or more nodes with the lowest fulfillment cost.

One embodiment is directed to a non-transitory article of manufacturetangibly embodying computer readable instructions, which whenimplemented by a user interface accessing a service provider website,cause the computer system to perform the step of receiving by a computerprocessor of a network average capacity utilization cost module anelectronic record of a current order from a customer. The method thenincludes retrieving data of each node from a plurality of nodes. Theretrieved data of each node includes current capacity utilization,capacity of a current day, backlog and network average capacityutilization. The method also includes calculating an actual capacityutilization on an expected date of each node of the plurality of nodes.The actual capacity utilization is based on the retrieved currentcapacity utilization, the capacity of a current day, and the backlog.Further, the method includes determining a probability of backlog on theexpected date of each node of the plurality of nodes. The probability ofbacklog is based on the actual capacity utilization. Then, the methodincludes generating a network average capacity utilization cost modeldefining a lower capacity utilization threshold of each node of theplurality of nodes and an upper capacity utilization threshold of eachnode of the plurality of nodes. Next, the method includes automaticallyconverting a regular labor cost of each node of the plurality of nodesor a overtime labor cost of each node of the plurality of nodes into acapacity utilization cost of the each node using the generated networkaverage capacity utilization cost model. The method next includestransmitting the capacity utilization cost of each node to an orderfulfillment engine. Further, the method includes receiving by a computerprocessor of the order fulfillment engine the electronic record of thecurrent order for node order assignment. Thereafter, the method includesretrieving by the computer processor of the order fulfillment engine theprocessing cost data of each node from a plurality of nodes. Next, themethod includes receiving by the computer processor of the orderfulfillment engine the converted capacity utilization cost of each nodefrom a plurality of nodes. Afterwards, the method includes automaticallycalculating a fulfillment cost of each node of the plurality of nodes ofthe current order based on the processing cost data of each node fromthe plurality of nodes and the capacity utilization cost of each nodefrom a plurality of nodes. The method then includes identifying one ormore nodes from the plurality of nodes of the current order with thelowest fulfillment cost based on the calculated fulfillment cost.Finally, the method includes automatically generating a node orderassignment assigning the current order to one of the one or more nodeswith the lowest fulfillment cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These are other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are flow charts of the steps of one embodiment ofthe method of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph of different embodiments of determining a capacityutilization cost in different sections of the network average capacityutilization cost model.

FIG. 3 is a graph of different embodiments of determining a capacityutilization cost based on labor cost in different sections of thenetwork average capacity utilization cost model.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the system of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the cost computationengine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the integration betweenthe cost computation engine with a fulfillment engine and other costcomputation engines.

FIG. 7 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system suitable forimplementation of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention is a system and method for evaluating node fulfillmentcapacity in node order assignment. In one embodiment, the inventionincorporates network average capacity utilization and processing cost(fulfillment cost without capacity utilization cost) into a calculationof the capacity utilization cost for calculating a final fulfillmentcost (fulfillment cost with capacity utilization cost) in a fulfillmentengine. In another embodiment, the invention incorporates labor costinto of capacity utilization cost for calculating a final fulfillmentcost in a fulfillment engine. The fulfillment engine can be amulti-objective optimization-based engine to factor in when balancing anumber of objectives for node order assignment. The invention generatesa model defining a lower capacity utilization threshold based on thenetwork average capacity utilization and an upper capacity utilizationthreshold based on the probability of backlog (fulfillment capacity).The model derives a mathematical approach converting network averagecapacity utilization, processing cost and/or labor cost into acalculable capacity utilization cost.

Node fulfillment capacity, capacity utilization, and capacityutilization cost are modeled in such a way that in general, the nodewith the least capacity utilization will be preferred. Capacityutilization for a node is the number of units assigned to the node sofar divided by its processing capacity—the total number of units it isexpected to be able to process in the day. This means that if an equalnumber of units have been assigned to two different nodes, the node withhigher capacity is preferred for assigning subsequent items/orders. Theweight applied to the calculated fulfillment capacity utilization costcan be adjusted to trade-off between improving capacity utilization withother business objectives.

By factoring in node fulfillment capacity, network average capacityutilization, processing cost and/or labor rate in the fulfillmentdecision, the retailers are able to balance the workload betweenfulfillment nodes with their actual, real-time capacity; reduce laborcost from extra workers hired for order fulfillment at a node beyond itscapacity as well as cost due to having to upgrade orders when workerscannot process all units in the same day; and better utilize labors thatare allocated already.

As is shown in FIG. 1 A, one embodiment of the method of the inventionbegins with step S100 of receiving by a computer processor of a networkaverage capacity utilization cost module an electronic record of acurrent order from a customer. The computer processor of the networkaverage capacity utilization cost module has program instructions. Atstep S102, the program instructions executed by the processor of thenetwork average capacity utilization cost module allows the module toretrieve data of each node from a plurality of nodes. The retrieved dataof each node includes current capacity utilization, capacity of acurrent day, backlog and network average capacity utilization. Capacityof a current day is a planned capacity in units of the current day.Current capacity utilization is the percentage of total daily capacityused so far in a current day and is calculated from the number of unitsassigned for processing so far in a current day divided by the capacityof that current day. Current capacity utilization is updatedregularly—for example, based on a predetermined time interval or realtime. Continuous order assignment to a node increases capacityutilization of that node. Backlog is the backlog units at the beginningof the current day. Network average capacity utilization is the averagecapacity utilization of a plurality of nodes chosen from a network ofnodes.

Then, at step S104, the module automatically calculates an actualcapacity utilization on an expected date of each node of the pluralityof nodes. The actual capacity utilization is based on the retrievedcurrent capacity utilization, the capacity of a current day, and thebacklog. The actual capacity utilization differs from the currentcapacity utilization by taking backlog into consideration.

Further at step S106, the module determines a probability of backlog onthe expected date of each node of the plurality of nodes. Theprobability of backlog is based on the actual capacity utilization. Theexpected ship date of a node is the date on which the current order isexpected to be shipped from that node. The probability of backlog on theexpected ship date is the probability that the current order will bebacklogged on that expected ship date due to lack of capacity given theactual capacity utilization level.

At step S108, the module generates a network average capacityutilization cost model defining a lower capacity utilization thresholdof each node of the plurality of nodes and an upper capacity utilizationthreshold of each node of the plurality of nodes. The lower capacityutilization threshold is based on the network average capacityutilization. The lower capacity utilization threshold is a predeterminedtolerable capacity utilization variance below the network averagecapacity utilization. The upper capacity utilization threshold is basedon the determined probability of backlog, which can be set at aspecified, configurable point where backlog risk becomes high. The lowercapacity utilization threshold and the upper capacity utilizationthreshold can be set constant for all nodes of a retailer, varied foreach node, or customized to frequently change to satisfy the need ofretailers.

Then, at step S110, the module automatically converts one or more ofprocessing cost of the current order and backlog cost, labor cost, thenetwork average capacity utilization, and the actual capacityutilization of each node of the plurality of nodes into a capacityutilization cost of the each node using the generated network averagecapacity utilization cost model. Processing cost of the current order isthe fulfillment cost of the order, optionally including shipping cost.Backlog cost is the average cost per unit associated with expeditingbacklog days in backlogged orders. Backlog days at a node are the daysan order gets delayed at a node due to the limited node capacity of thatnode. Backlog cost can increase for each backlog day of an order waitingto be shipped and can also take into account the shipping cost of anorder. Labor cost is the cost of labor per unit pick up. Further at stepS112, the module transmits the capacity utilization cost of each node toan order fulfillment engine.

As is shown in FIG. 1 B, at step S114, a computer processor of the orderfulfillment engine receives the electronic record of the current orderfor node order assignment. Then at step S116, the engine retrieves theprocessing cost data of each node from a plurality of nodes. Further atstep S118, the engine receives the converted capacity utilization costof each node from a plurality of nodes.

At step S120, the engine automatically calculates a fulfillment cost ofeach node of the plurality of nodes of the current order based on theprocessing cost data of each node from the plurality of nodes and thecapacity utilization cost of each node from a plurality of nodes. Thenat step S122, the engine identifies one or more nodes from the pluralityof nodes of the current order with the lowest fulfillment cost based onthe calculated fulfillment cost. Finally, at step S124, the engineautomatically generates a node order assignment assigning the currentorder to one of the one or more nodes with the lowest fulfillment cost.

FIG. 2 depicts different embodiments of determining a capacityutilization cost in different sections of the network average capacityutilization cost model. In one embodiment, when the actual capacityutilization is lower than the lower capacity utilization threshold, thecapacity utilization cost is the negative of the processing cost.Equalizing the capacity utilization cost of a node with the negative ofthe processing cost of that node rewards the node with a negativecapacity utilization cost (capacity utilization incentive), thereforeleading to a higher possibility of low fulfillment cost and theincentive of assigning the order to that node. In another embodiment,when the actual capacity utilization is higher than the upper capacityutilization threshold, the capacity utilization cost is calculated byadding the backlog cost and deducting the processing cost. Adding thebacklog cost in the calculation of the capacity utilization costpenalizes the node with higher capacity utilization cost, thereforeleading to a lower possibility of low fulfillment cost and thedisincentive of assigning the order to that node.

FIG. 3 depicts different embodiments of determining a capacityutilization cost based on labor cost in different sections of thenetwork average capacity utilization cost model. The labor cost can be aregular labor cost, or overtime labor cost. In one embodiment, when theactual capacity utilization is lower than the lower capacity utilizationthreshold as shown on the left side of slope=−C₁, the capacityutilization cost is the negative of a regular labor cost or the negativeof an idling labor cost C₁, which is essentially a reward and encouragesall nodes to have capacity utilization closer to the networkaverage/neutral zone. When considering two nodes to assign to, a nodethat is farther below the network average will be preferred due to ahigher reward (lower capacity utilization cost). The node will be chosento assign items of an order over other nodes, causing increases in itscapacity utilization cost, bringing its capacity utilization closer tothe network average and reducing the deviation of that node's capacityutilization from the network average. Further, by having an increasingcost above an upper capacity utilization threshold, as described below,which prefers avoiding over-utilized nodes, the module prevents thoseover-utilized nodes from getting farther from the network averageutilization. Additionally, the labor cost can be a tie-breaker/flat costadded to each node in order to give preference to nodes with cheaperlabor cost, when all else are equal. Adding to the capacity utilizationcost of a node with the regular labor cost of that node rewards the nodewith a low capacity utilization cost, therefore leading to a higherpossibility of low fulfillment cost and the incentive of assigning theorder to that node. This can be beneficial in the long run for aretailer, as if they are able to assign more items to lower cost nodes,then can reduce labor staffing at more costly nodes, further decreasingcosts at the low-cost nodes over time. In another embodiment, when theactual capacity utilization is higher than the upper capacityutilization threshold as shown on the right side of slope=C₀, thecapacity utilization cost is the overtime labor cost C₀, which is higherthan the regular labor cost. Equalizing the capacity utilization cost ofa node with the overtime labor cost of that node penalizes the node witha high capacity utilization cost, therefore leading to a lowerpossibility of low fulfillment cost and the disincentive of assigningthe order to that node.

In one embodiment, when the calculated actual capacity utilizationequals or is in between the lower capacity utilization threshold and theupper capacity utilization threshold, the capacity utilization cost isbased on the network average capacity utilization, the actual capacityutilization, and the labor cost.

In another embodiment, the capacity utilization cost is calculated as:Capacity Utilization Cost=[(CU-Avg_CU)/Avg_CU]×LaborCost. CU is theactual capacity utilization, Avg_CU is the average capacity utilization,and Labor Cost is the labor cost.

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a capacity utilization cost system 11.The network average capacity utilization cost module 12 takes currentcapacity utilization 14, backlog 16, capacity of a current day 18 tocalculate the actual capacity utilization 20. The module then determinesthe probability of backlog 22 from the actual capacity utilization 20.The module further uses the probability of backlog 22 to set the uppercapacity utilization threshold 24 defined in the network averagecapacity utilization cost model 29. The network average capacityutilization cost module 12 also takes network average capacityutilization 26 to determine the lower capacity utilization threshold 28defined in the network average capacity utilization cost model 29. Inone embodiment, the network average capacity utilization cost model 29then takes into account of labor cost 30, backlog cost 32, processingcost 34, actual capacity utilization 20 and network average capacityutilization 26 for automatically converting them into a capacityutilization cost 36. In another embodiment, the network average capacityutilization cost model 29 then takes into account of labor cost 30(regular labor cost or overtime labor cost) for automatically convertingthem into a capacity utilization cost 36.

As is shown in FIG. 5, the diagram depicts one embodiment of thefulfillment capacity utilization load balancing cost computation engine38. The fulfillment capacity utilization load balancing cost computationengine 38 considers the capacity of a current day from a planned dailycapacity database 40, the number of units assigned from a node unitassignment database 42, backlog from a backlog database 44, backlog costfrom a backlog cost database 46, labor cost (regular labor cost orovertime labor cost) from a labor cost database 48, processing cost(optionally including shipping cost) from a processing cost database 51and network average capacity utilization from a network average capacityutilization database 52 for converting the data considered into acapacity utilization cost.

As is shown in FIG. 6, the diagram depicts one embodiment of theintegration between the fulfillment capacity utilization load balancingcost computation engine 38 with a fulfillment engine 54, other costcomputation engine 56 and other cost computation engine 58. One exampleof the other cost computation engine 56 is a cancellation costcomputation engine, which takes a variety of data into consideration.The data includes order scheduled, order release status and labor cost.One example of the other cost computation engine 58 is a loyalty rewardmodule, which takes a variety of data into consideration. The dataincludes customer loyalty reward data and carrier and shipping methodspecific CO₂/miles data. The data considered by other cost computationengine 56 and other cost computation engine 58 can be overlapping. Thefulfillment engine 54 minimizes a fulfillment cost of an order applyingcustomer business objective weighting to costs calculated from thefulfillment capacity utilization load balancing cost computation engine38, other cost computation engine 56, other cost computation engine 58,and shipping matrix 64. The fulfillment engine 54 obtains inventory data60, zipcode-store-distance data 62 and store lists 66 for calculating afulfillment cost and identifying one or more nodes for order fulfillmentperformance. The system can be implemented as a cloud system or anon-premise system.

It is to be understood that although this disclosure includes a detaileddescription on cloud computing, implementation of the teachings recitedherein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed. Cloud computing is a model of service delivery forenabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool ofconfigurable computing resources (e.g., networks, network bandwidth,servers, processing, memory, storage, applications, virtual machines,and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimalmanagement effort or interaction with a provider of the service. Thiscloud model may include at least five characteristics, at least threeservice models, and at least four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for loadbalancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure that includes anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 includes one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 7 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 8, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 7) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 8 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may include applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and order fulfillment optimization 96.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic of an example computer or processingsystem that may implement the method for evaluating node fulfillmentcapacity in node order assignment. The computer system is only oneexample of a suitable processing system and is not intended to suggestany limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments ofthe methodology described herein. The processing system shown may beoperational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with the processing system shown in FIG. 9 may include,but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computersystems, thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices,multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes,programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems,mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environmentsthat include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

The computer system may be described in the general context of computersystem executable instructions, such as program modules, being executedby a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines,programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.The computer system may be practiced in distributed cloud computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloudcomputing environment, program modules may be located in both local andremote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

The components of computer system may include, but are not limited to,one or more processors or processing units 100, a system memory 106, anda bus 104 that couples various system components including system memory106 to processor 100. The processor 100 may include a program module 102that performs the methods described herein. The module 102 may beprogrammed into the integrated circuits of the processor 100, or loadedfrom memory 106, storage device 108, or network 114 or combinationsthereof.

Bus 104 may represent one or more of any of several types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and notlimitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA)bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, andPeripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system may include a variety of computer system readable media.Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computersystem, and it may include both volatile and non-volatile media,removable and non-removable media.

System memory 106 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) and/or cachememory or others. Computer system may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 108 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(e.g., a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive forreading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk(e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from orwriting to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM,DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, eachcan be connected to bus 104 by one or more data media interfaces.

Computer system may also communicate with one or more external devices116 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 118, etc.; one ormore devices that enable a user to interact with computer system; and/orany devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computersystem to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Suchcommunication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 110.

Still yet, computer system can communicate with one or more networks 114such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN),and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 112. Asdepicted, network adapter 112 communicates with the other components ofcomputer system via bus 104. It should be understood that although notshown, other hardware and/or software components could be used inconjunction with computer system. Examples include, but are not limitedto: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external diskdrive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storagesystems, etc.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include anon-transitory computer readable storage medium (or media) havingcomputer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processorto carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements, if any, in the claims below areintended to include any structure, material, or act for performing thefunction in combination with other claimed elements as specificallyclaimed. The description of the present invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

In addition, while preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen described using specific terms, such description is forillustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes andvariations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method for incorporatingnetwork average capacity utilization in node order assignment,comprising: receiving by a computer processor of a network averagecapacity utilization cost module an electronic record of a current orderfrom a customer, the computer processor of the network average capacityutilization cost module having program instructions, which when executedby the processor of the network average capacity utilization costmodule, performs the steps of: retrieving data of each node from aplurality of nodes, the retrieved data of each node comprising currentcapacity utilization, capacity of a current day, backlog and networkaverage capacity utilization; automatically calculating an actualcapacity utilization on an expected ship date of each node of theplurality of nodes, the actual capacity utilization being based on theretrieved current capacity utilization, the capacity of a current day,and the backlog; determining a probability of backlog on the expectedship date of each node of the plurality of nodes, the probability ofbacklog being based on the actual capacity utilization; generating anetwork average capacity utilization cost model defining a lowercapacity utilization threshold of each node of the plurality of nodesand an upper capacity utilization threshold of each node of theplurality of nodes, the lower capacity utilization threshold being basedon the network average capacity utilization, and the upper capacity′utilization threshold being based on the determined probability ofbacklog; automatically converting a regular labor cost of each node ofthe plurality of nodes or a overtime labor cost of each node of theplurality of nodes into a capacity utilization cost of the each nodeusing the generated network average capacity utilization cost model; andtransmitting the capacity utilization cost of each node to an orderfulfillment engine; receiving by a computer processor of the orderfulfillment engine the electronic record of the current order for nodeorder assignment; retrieving by the computer processor of the orderfulfillment engine the processing cost data of each node from aplurality of nodes; receiving by the computer processor of the orderfulfillment engine the converted capacity utilization cost of each nodefrom a plurality of nodes, the computer processor of the orderfulfillment engine having program instructions, which when executed bythe processor of the order fulfillment engine, performs the steps of:automatically calculating a fulfillment cost of each node of theplurality of nodes of the current order based on the processing costdata of each node from the plurality of nodes and the capacityutilization cost of each node from a plurality of nodes; identifying oneor more nodes from the plurality of nodes of the current order with thelowest fulfillment cost based on the calculated fulfillment cost; andautomatically generating a node order assignment assigning the currentorder to one of the one or more nodes with the lowest fulfillment cost.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the capacity utilization cost is thenegative of the regular labor cost, when the actual capacity utilizationis lower than the lower capacity utilization threshold.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the capacity utilization cost is the overtime laborcost, when the actual capacity utilization is higher than the uppercapacity utilization threshold.
 4. A computer system for determiningnode order assignment, comprising: a processor; and a memory havingprogram instructions, which when executed by the processor cause anetwork average capacity utilization cost module to perform the stepsof: receiving by a computer processor of a network average capacityutilization cost module an electronic record of a current order from acustomer, the computer processor of the network average capacityutilization cost module having program instructions, which when executedby the processor of the network average capacity utilization costmodule, performs the steps of: retrieving data of each node from aplurality of nodes, the retrieved data of each node comprising currentcapacity utilization, capacity of a current day, backlog and networkaverage capacity utilization; automatically calculating an actualcapacity utilization on an expected date of each node of the pluralityof nodes, the actual capacity utilization being based on the retrievedcurrent capacity utilization, the capacity of a current day, and thebacklog; determining a probability of backlog on the expected date ofeach node of the plurality of nodes, the probability of backlog beingbased on the actual capacity utilization; generating a network averagecapacity utilization cost model defining a lower capacity utilizationthreshold of each node of the plurality of nodes and an upper capacityutilization threshold of each node of the plurality of nodes, the lowercapacity utilization threshold being based on the network averagecapacity utilization, and the upper capacity utilization threshold beingbased on the determined probability of backlog; automatically convertinga regular labor cost of each node of the plurality of nodes or aovertime labor cost of each node of the plurality of nodes into acapacity utilization cost of the each node using the generated networkaverage capacity utilization cost model; and transmitting the capacityutilization cost of each node to an order fulfillment engine; receivingby a computer processor of the order fulfillment engine the electronicrecord of the current order for node order assignment; retrieving by thecomputer processor of the order fulfillment engine the processing costdata of each node from a plurality of nodes; receiving by the computerprocessor of the order fulfillment engine the converted capacityutilization cost of each node from a plurality of nodes, the computerprocessor of the order fulfillment engine having program instructions,which when executed by the processor of the order fulfillment engine,performs the steps of: automatically calculating a fulfillment cost ofeach node of the plurality of nodes of the current order based on theprocessing cost data of each node from the plurality of nodes and thecapacity utilization cost of each node from a plurality of nodes;identifying one or more nodes from the plurality of nodes of the currentorder with the lowest fulfillment cost based on the calculatedfulfillment cost; and automatically generating a node order assignmentassigning the current order to one of the one or more nodes with thelowest fulfillment cost.
 5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein thecapacity utilization cost is the negative of the regular labor cost,when the actual capacity utilization is lower than the lower capacityutilization threshold.
 6. The computer system of claim 4, wherein thecapacity utilization cost is the overtime labor cost, when the actualcapacity utilization is higher than the upper capacity utilizationthreshold.
 7. A non-transitory article of manufacture tangibly embodyingcomputer readable instructions, which when implemented, cause a computerto perform the steps of a method for determining node order fulfillmentperformance, comprising: receiving by a computer processor of a networkaverage capacity utilization cost module an electronic record of acurrent order from a customer, the computer processor of the networkaverage capacity utilization cost module having program instructions,which when executed by the processor of the network average capacityutilization cost module, performs the steps of: retrieving data of eachnode from a plurality of nodes, the retrieved data of each nodecomprising current capacity utilization, capacity of a current day,backlog and network average capacity utilization; automaticallycalculating an actual capacity utilization on an expected date of eachnode of the plurality of nodes, the actual capacity utilization beingbased on the retrieved current capacity utilization, the capacity of acurrent day, and the backlog; determining a probability of backlog onthe expected date of each node of the plurality of nodes, theprobability of backlog being based on the actual capacity utilization;generating a network average capacity utilization cost model defining alower capacity utilization threshold of each node of the plurality ofnodes and an upper capacity utilization threshold of each node of theplurality of nodes, the lower capacity utilization threshold being basedon the network average capacity utilization, and the upper capacityutilization threshold being based on the determined probability ofbacklog; automatically converting a regular labor cost of each node ofthe plurality of nodes or a overtime labor cost of each node of theplurality of nodes into a capacity utilization cost of the each nodeusing the generated network average capacity utilization cost model; andtransmitting the capacity utilization cost of each node to an orderfulfillment engine; receiving by a computer processor of the orderfulfillment engine the electronic record of the current order for nodeorder assignment; retrieving by the computer processor of the orderfulfillment engine the processing cost data of each node from aplurality of nodes; receiving by the computer processor of the orderfulfillment engine the converted capacity utilization cost of each nodefrom a plurality of nodes, the computer processor of the orderfulfillment engine having program instructions, which when executed bythe processor of the order fulfillment engine, performs the steps of:automatically calculating a fulfillment cost of each node of theplurality of nodes of the current order based on the processing costdata of each node from the plurality of nodes and the capacityutilization cost of each node from a plurality of nodes; identifying oneor more nodes from the plurality of nodes of the current order with thelowest fulfillment cost based on the calculated fulfillment cost; andautomatically generating a node order assignment assigning the currentorder to one of the one or more nodes with the lowest fulfillment cost.8. The non-transitory article of manufacture of claim 7, wherein thecapacity utilization cost is the negative of the regular labor cost,when the actual capacity utilization is lower than the lower capacityutilization threshold.
 9. The non-transitory article of manufacture ofclaim 7, wherein the capacity utilization cost is the overtime laborcost, when the actual capacity utilization is higher than the uppercapacity utilization threshold.